A Harlow senior specialist nurse has been invited to present his research into how to identify patients who may be at imminent risk of a cardiac arrest.

Matthew Ibrahim, lead resuscitation practitioner at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT), has collected and analysed data and developed a new pilot cardiac arrest prediction tool.

He has been recognised for ‘best abstract for oral presentation’ at the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Patient Safety Congress.

Currently, the PAHT team use the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) to help recognise patients who are at risk.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Matthew noted that this system, which is used nationally, could not identify every imminent cardiac arrest.

He therefore started his data analysis project and developed a new pilot cardiac arrest prediction tool that uses other parameters not currently captured by other early warning tools like NEWS.

Matthew said: “I am pleased that this hard work is being recognised at a national level.

“Patient safety is our absolute priority and it is brilliant to be able to share this work with others at such a prestigious forum. I hope to undertake pilot studies of the new prediction tool in time, both locally and nationally.”

Epping Forest Guardian: The Princess Alexandra HospitalThe Princess Alexandra Hospital

Fay Gilder, medical director at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said: “I am delighted to see Matthew invited to contribute to this conference, with a focus on patient safety.

“This is testament to the commitment to improving patient care that is a cornerstone of PAHT and our value of patient at heart.”